Any small-plane pilots here?

We just moved near Bowman Field and I want to take my 13 month old son over to watch some planes takeoff and land. Is there a better time of day when traffic is a bit heavier? Are more planes coming in around dusk?

TIA

[Robin Garr]

Mike, I'm not a pilot, but after years of living around the eastern part of the city, it seems to me that one very busy time at Bowman is a sunny Saturday afternoon with perfect weather, when a lot of hobby pilots with day jobs decide to head out to the airport and do some flying. The air around Bowman is usually full of small craft then, so I assume you'll see a lot of takeoffs and landings, too.

We're getting into prime time (fall) for activity. In the summer the visibility is so poor (and those small airplanes are so darn hot!) that a lot of recreational pilots don't fly as much. But, go around on a Saturday morning and you should find a lot of activity, especially among the student pilots who are doing a gazillion touch and gos (some not so successfully, which can be pretty entertaining unless you're the one behind the stick!).

I fly too. Weekends and around big events (Derby, ball games) are always prime time especially if you have clear blue skies. Since you live near the airport I definately recommend investing in a small hand-held radio scanner (make sure it has air band). This will allow you to listen to the pilots talking to the tower and adds a whole new demension to the experience. You can get them on Ebay for nothin'.

Keep an eye out...some of the flying clubs used to take kids up for rides during special events or through Scouts...

When you get that radio here are some freqs to start with....

Bowman tower 119.5
Ground control 121.8
Automated airport conditions 112.2

Our good buddy John Greenup that often posts here is a pilot and my goto guy for flight questions.